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teaand_tomes's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Thank you Saga Press #SagaSaysCrew and NetGalley for the gifted review copy!
A compelling blend of fairytale and Greek mythology, drawing inspiration from "The Beauty and the Beast" and the myth of Hades and Persephone. The lead character, Wren, is a relatable figure struggling with alcoholism and loneliness, while the antagonist, Boreas, is a redeemable villain with depth. The selfless sacrifices made by both characters add a powerful layer to the narrative. The book is a masterful mix of romance, adventure, and heartache, leaving a lasting impression on the reader.
A compelling blend of fairytale and Greek mythology, drawing inspiration from "The Beauty and the Beast" and the myth of Hades and Persephone. The lead character, Wren, is a relatable figure struggling with alcoholism and loneliness, while the antagonist, Boreas, is a redeemable villain with depth. The selfless sacrifices made by both characters add a powerful layer to the narrative. The book is a masterful mix of romance, adventure, and heartache, leaving a lasting impression on the reader.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Alcoholism and Violence
Minor: Grief, Child death, Suicidal thoughts, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Vomit, Domestic abuse, Death, Death of parent, and Rape
becdawes's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
simpag's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
paytonbox21's review against another edition
4.0
I struggled to fully to connect and love this book...it wasn't bad it just wasn't my favorite fantasy romance I've read. I will say there are some parts of this book that were fantastic, I loved the banter between Boreas and Wren, they had some amazing one liners and did a great job antagonizing each other, but also repeating when one said it was too much. The love between Boreas and Wren is the best part of this book, it's so clear how quickly Boreas falls for Wren as she continues to try over and over again to break free from the marriage by any means necessary.
The magic in this book was interesting in neither a good or bad way, it didn't stand out to me, and I don't think we got enough explaining of how it all works. It left the action scenes and magical fights a little bland to me.
I might read the next book, I need to see the blurb and such, but I can see the potential of this book even if I didn't love it!
The magic in this book was interesting in neither a good or bad way, it didn't stand out to me, and I don't think we got enough explaining of how it all works. It left the action scenes and magical fights a little bland to me.
I might read the next book, I need to see the blurb and such, but I can see the potential of this book even if I didn't love it!
libronika's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
What I liked:
- Greek mythology inspo
- the lore
- the Frost King
- interactions between MFC and MMC
- the funny dialogues (which were unexpected!)
What I disliked:
- useless events in the plot (what's with that stolen dream?!)
- it was long, interesting in the beginning but got pretty boring once the Deadlands were introduced (no more Greek inspo to uncover)
- it was supposed to be dark but at some point it turned out sweet and funny
Books it reminds me of:
- "Assistant to the Villain"
- "Land of the beautiful dead"
- "The bear and the nightingale"
- every other romantasy where plot is just a stage for the main couple to interact :(
- Greek mythology inspo
- the lore
- the Frost King
- interactions between MFC and MMC
- the funny dialogues (which were unexpected!)
What I disliked:
- useless events in the plot (what's with that stolen dream?!)
- it was long, interesting in the beginning but got pretty boring once the Deadlands were introduced (no more Greek inspo to uncover)
- it was supposed to be dark but at some point it turned out sweet and funny
Books it reminds me of:
- "Assistant to the Villain"
- "Land of the beautiful dead"
- "The bear and the nightingale"
- every other romantasy where plot is just a stage for the main couple to interact :(
retoldbydaisy's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This being a Beauty and the Beast retelling had me intrigued, but it was the witty banter that kept me up at night nonstop reading this beauty.
This book follows Wren, a feisty woman doing everything she can to keep her and her twin sister safe, and Boreas, the nefarious North Wind. This book is filled with hatred, revenge plotting, self-loathing and a whole lot of growth.
I found the world easy to digest and understand, however I would have loved to have seen more depth and perhaps questionings of things that were happening. I found some of the scenes felt kind of out of the blue. Perhaps with even a sprinkling of some details or conversations, parts of the read would have had a more seamless flow to them.
The characters really make this book the fun and interesting book it is. The side characters offer support, love, and confliction, all of which act as tools for our main female protagonist to develop and grow in a really beautiful and honest way. Both Wren and Boreas are both flawed characters in need of a really good wake up call.
The tension was phenomenal, the sass, hilarious, and I loved that even when the main characters grew closer that snappy banter didn’t turn into sappy lovey mush. And this is not to say they don’t have gentle moments with each other because they absolutely do. But the fun essence of the relationship thankfully doesn’t get lost.
The characters were memorable but the overall setting perhaps not the most front of mind. The pacing I would say is in that medium realm. This book also has quite literally the most wonderful epilogue I have ever read.
Worth a pick up if you love a good enemies to lovers. Or more simply if you enjoy Beauty and the beast the parallels are done really well.
This book follows Wren, a feisty woman doing everything she can to keep her and her twin sister safe, and Boreas, the nefarious North Wind. This book is filled with hatred, revenge plotting, self-loathing and a whole lot of growth.
I found the world easy to digest and understand, however I would have loved to have seen more depth and perhaps questionings of things that were happening. I found some of the scenes felt kind of out of the blue. Perhaps with even a sprinkling of some details or conversations, parts of the read would have had a more seamless flow to them.
The characters really make this book the fun and interesting book it is. The side characters offer support, love, and confliction, all of which act as tools for our main female protagonist to develop and grow in a really beautiful and honest way. Both Wren and Boreas are both flawed characters in need of a really good wake up call.
The tension was phenomenal, the sass, hilarious, and I loved that even when the main characters grew closer that snappy banter didn’t turn into sappy lovey mush. And this is not to say they don’t have gentle moments with each other because they absolutely do. But the fun essence of the relationship thankfully doesn’t get lost.
The characters were memorable but the overall setting perhaps not the most front of mind. The pacing I would say is in that medium realm. This book also has quite literally the most wonderful epilogue I have ever read.
Worth a pick up if you love a good enemies to lovers. Or more simply if you enjoy Beauty and the beast the parallels are done really well.
thewhisperingpages's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
sparksbooks's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
tobbled's review against another edition
2.0
[ 2.5 stars ]
They only fell in love because they both had insane amounts of self pity.
I wish this book was shorter. I think if it was it would’ve at least been a solid 3 stars. However, it goes on for almost 600 pages. Please oh please, cut out the epilogue at least. I do think this is a better ACOTAR though. Maybe, I don’t know, I just hate the Beauty and Beast story in general.
I think my main problem with this book - other than Wren being insufferable and Boreas being boring and inconsistent - was the plot. So much happens and is opened up to us to just not get mentioned. Like I had so many questions and by the 80% mark I realised they weren’t getting answered. And then at the end of the book the whole conflict is just cleared up? What. How. Also what happened to his other wives! Why does he get one every 30 years I’m sure they don’t die within that time span. I just.
Every other chapter Wren is trying to kill Boreas and she hates him and then the next chapter it’s like ‘omgg… he has layers’. Both of the characters victimise themselves so much it’s insane please! Please these situations are not black and white okay.
I loved Orla though she was fun and I enjoyed her. Also once in a while this book would come out with a banger of a line it was amazing. And for someone who hates smut, I actually rlly enjoyed the smut in this.
Why is Zephyrus getting a romance sequel I thought we hated him
They only fell in love because they both had insane amounts of self pity.
I wish this book was shorter. I think if it was it would’ve at least been a solid 3 stars. However, it goes on for almost 600 pages. Please oh please, cut out the epilogue at least. I do think this is a better ACOTAR though. Maybe, I don’t know, I just hate the Beauty and Beast story in general.
I think my main problem with this book - other than Wren being insufferable and Boreas being boring and inconsistent - was the plot. So much happens and is opened up to us to just not get mentioned. Like I had so many questions and by the 80% mark I realised they weren’t getting answered. And then at the end of the book the whole conflict is just cleared up? What. How. Also what happened to his other wives! Why does he get one every 30 years I’m sure they don’t die within that time span. I just.
Every other chapter Wren is trying to kill Boreas and she hates him and then the next chapter it’s like ‘omgg… he has layers’. Both of the characters victimise themselves so much it’s insane please! Please these situations are not black and white okay.
I loved Orla though she was fun and I enjoyed her. Also once in a while this book would come out with a banger of a line it was amazing. And for someone who hates smut, I actually rlly enjoyed the smut in this.
Why is Zephyrus getting a romance sequel I thought we hated him